Biography:

Alonzo Cornell was born on January 22, 1832 in Ithaca, New York and became a politician, successful businessman, and the 13th Governor of New York.  His father Ezra Cornell, was the founder of Cornell University.
Cornell helped his father found the Western Union Telegraph Company, and later served as the company’s director.  He became the New York Republican State Central Committee Chairman in 1870 and served until 1878.  In 1876 he was appointed by Rutherford B. Hayes to serve as Surveyor of the Port of New York.  Because of a political dispute, Hayes removed him from the position two years later.  In 1878 Cornell became New York State Governor, beating his democratic incumbent opponent, Lucius Robinson.  As governor, Cornell established a state board of health and a state railroad commission.  After serving only one term, Cornell left politics and returned to business.  He died on October 15, 1904.